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RV Having Fun Yet?
A Beginner's Guide to Hassle-Free RVing
By
Introduction ........................................................................................................... 2
Is This Really For Us?............................................................................................3
Choosing Your Home on Wheels……………………………………………………...4
Where To Go - What To See…………………………………………………………..5
Packing for Your Trip……………………………………………………………………6
Kids, Pets, and RVs…...………………………………………………………………..6
Campground Wisdom…………………………………………………………………..7
Driving Your "Rig"……………………………………………………………………….7
The Nitty Gritty of RV Living……………………………………………………………7
RV FAQs…………...…...………………………..……………….……………………..8
Glossary of RV Terms……………...…………………………………..……………..10
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©2009-2010 Tracks & Trails
Grand Junction, Colorado
www.Tracks-Trails.com
Introduction
Congratulations. You have just begun to explore one of the most enjoyable –
and most misunderstood – vacation options in the world of travel. Each of us,
sometime in our past, has cursed a slow-moving
“Win-a-bay-go.” Those first impressions can
last a long time, and many people can’t imagine
themselves actually choosing to spend their
precious vacations in “one of those things.”
[Sidebar: For a humorous account of one
family’s first RV experience, see this article at:
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fsb/fsb_archive/20
07/06/01/100051022/index.htm
But, as you have already figured out, RV travel has changed a lot in recent years.
Today’s motor homes are more powerful, roomier, safer and better appointed
than in the past. If you doubt it, stop in at an RV dealer or rental center in your
town and take a look around inside one of the new units. It’s hard not to be
impressed.
In fact, a new generation of discerning travelers with the resources to go just
about anywhere they please is finding that RV vacations suit them and their
families perfectly. But, there is a downside to this sort of vacation: It’s not as
simple as booking a stay at a resort or a week at the beach. In order for your trip
to be the adventurous yet relaxing experience that you are imagining, there are a
lot of things you will need to figure out:

Where should we go?

How long will it take us to go that far in an RV?

How long should we stay in each place?

Which campground is the best for us? Do we need full hookups? What’s a
pull-through site?

Is there somewhere that we can take a whitewater raft trip? With our fouryear-old? Which company is most reputable and the best with children?

If we’re only going to take one or two short walks at the National Park, which
ones will give us the biggest bang for our buck?

What kind of motor home should we get? Do we need to bring our own
towels? What’s this pedal under the toilet for?
In spite of all the details, more people than ever before are discovering the joy of
wandering the open road without giving up the comforts of home. It’s easier than
hopping from one hotel to the next. You don’t have to pack and unpack all of
your belongings every day. You don’t have to eat out unless you want to. You
have a warm refuge when it suddenly turns chilly, or a place to cool off when it’s
hot. You are instantly part of a friendly campground community, not prisoners in
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©2009-2010 Tracks & Trails
Grand Junction, Colorado
www.Tracks-Trails.com
a hotel room. (For some reason, campgrounds just seem to attract friendlier
people than hotels do.) You settle into places that were chosen for their natural
beauty and peacefulness, not for their proximity to the busiest streets and
intersections. You eat, sleep and take potty breaks whenever you feel like it.
You retire to the same bed every night. You become part of the places you visit.
It’s the only way to see The West.
In summary, perhaps the biggest advantage of an RV vacation is the ability to
plan a world-class trip to anywhere in North America in a heartbeat. Fly into a
major city, pick up a fully-furnished RV, buy some groceries, and hit the road.
The information in the personalized Adventure Kit portfolio prepared by Tracks &
Trails for each customer provides all the guidance needed for a hassle-free
vacation. But early birds get the worms. People should book their vacations with
us early for the best availability of RVs and campsites.
What makes us so smart? Ten years ago we quit our big city jobs, sold most of
our belongings, bought a small RV, and hit the road full-time. Two years and
40,000 miles later, two things were apparent: 1) We could never go back to
working for someone else, and 2) Planning an itinerary that
maximizes enjoyment and minimizes stress takes time and
(here’s the catch) an intimate familiarity with the place you
want to visit. In other words, it’s hard to make the most of
your trip if you haven’t already been there. With this
contradiction in mind, an idea began to take shape: We could
help others avoid all the mistakes we made in the beginning by sharing
everything that we learned. It seemed natural: Fate made us intrepid travelers.
Our previous jobs made us good communicators. Our experiences on the road
made us enthusiastic advocates for RV travel and for getting out there and
experiencing the varied and endless wonders of the American and Canadian
West. Tracks & Trails is here to help you maximize your enjoyment of your time
on the road, be it five days or five months.
OK. Enough about our company and ourselves. Here’s the free advice that we
promised you! (But don’t be surprised if you come across a shameless plug for
our services here and there!)
Is This Really for Us?
We’ve covered the advantages of RV travel. Now, let’s look at a few situations
where it may not be the best choice.
If complete, uninterrupted relaxation and vegetation are what you have in mind
for your vacation, this may not be for you. Sure, you could drive to a beautiful
place not far from where you began, park the RV, and just sit there. But for most
people that defeats the whole purpose of the RV: having a comfortable home that
follows you around while you see explore a variety of interesting and beautiful
places. And any outing that involves navigating unfamiliar territory is likely to
produce a few stressful moments. If that risk is not one that you are willing to
take, you may want to consider a cruise or a stay at a posh resort.
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©2009-2010 Tracks & Trails
Grand Junction, Colorado
www.Tracks-Trails.com
Likewise, if your idea of roughing it is sleeping on embroidered silk sheets, rather
than your customary Egyptian cotton ones, you may have difficulty adjusting to
the less luxurious accommodations available in most rental motor homes. Of
course, the fact that you have come this far in the planning process suggests that
you’re not the silk sheets type.
Conversely, if you believe that the hard work and moderate discomfort of tentcamping is a valuable part of the experience, and if you believe that it’s not really
camping unless you’re a LONG way from the nearest road, traveling by RV may
not be for you. But there’s a growing group of baby-boomers
who, once veteran backpackers and car campers, are discovering
that they can enjoy the outdoors and still have the convenience
and comforts of home - a hotel room on wheels, if you will.
There’s no escaping the reality that car camping with kids is a lot
of work, (especially for us boomers who do plenty of work when
we’re at home) and for some folks, sleeping on the ground is not an option.
Under such circumstances, camping in an RV makes perfect sense.
Choosing Your Home on Wheels
RVs come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Tracks & Trails can help you decide
which one best suits your particular needs (shameless plug #1). Here’s a look at
the types that you are most likely to rent and their unique features and benefits.
Class C (Van-style)
These units are built on a heavy-duty version of a full-size van chassis, like those
used for airport shuttle buses, ambulances, and smaller moving vans. (You
know you’re looking at a Class C if there is a section of the camper that extends
out over the driver’s compartment.) Usually produced by Ford and Chevrolet,
they are solid, reliable and serviceable just about anywhere. The driver’s
compartment has had the rear wall removed and is mated to the camper body,
which sits just behind the cab. You will see them offered in overall lengths of
anywhere from 19 feet to over 30 feet. In general, each increment in length buys
you a little more space in each of the primary living areas: seating area, kitchen,
bath, and bedroom.
These models make up the majority of most rental fleets because of their
versatility, economy and reliability. They are particularly well-suited to families
with smaller children because of the large bed above the cab that does not need
to be converted back to seating space during the day.
Class A (Bus-style)
These larger motor homes feature driver’s and passenger’s seats which are on
the same level as the main living area. Some also have slide-out sections that
significantly increase the dimensions of the living area when parked. The driving
experience takes more getting used to than it does in a Class C because you are
further from the ground and you are sitting right over the front wheels looking
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©2009-2010 Tracks & Trails
Grand Junction, Colorado
www.Tracks-Trails.com
straight down at the ground. After a few miles, though, you’ll get used to it and
will appreciate the “trucker’s eye” view you have of the road ahead.
Even though they are generally more expensive to rent, you may want to
consider a Class A if:

You need the extra storage space afforded by the “basement” storage in
some units

You like the idea of the driver being in the same “room” as the rest of the crew

You want the extra space provided by the slide-out available on some models
(a few Class Cs have these, as well)

You are willing to pay for the slightly higher quality interior furnishings
These units are less common than the ubiquitous Class C and are unavailable at
many rental centers. Also, remember that these units do not have the bonus bed
above the driver’s compartment like the Class C, so the dinette and/or sofa will
need to be converted into a bed for sleeping.
Pickup Camper (Pickup truck fitted with slide-in camper)
For two people who want to get off the beaten path and save a few dollars, this
can be a good alternative. There’s a trend towards downsizing, with sleek
models offering clean, fuel-efficient, turbo-diesel engines. The downside is that
the space inside is somewhat cramped. After all, the floor area is limited to the 4’
x 8’ bed of a pickup truck. Also, you must get out and walk to the back of the
vehicle to enter. The advantages are:

You have the mobility of a standard pickup. Many have four-wheel drive,
giving you access to remote areas on BLM land and in National Forests that
Tracks & Trails will be happy to tell you about if you become a client
(shameless plug #2).

You will probably get better fuel mileage than in the larger units, and be able
to cover more ground in a day.
Where to Go - What to See
Once you’ve decided that you want to take an RV trip, the
next step is to decide where you will go. Have you always
wanted to visit Yellowstone? Do you want to see Mount
Rushmore? Keep in mind that traveling by RV is a very
different experience than traveling by car. The pace is much
slower, with more stops along the way, and distances
traveled each day are generally less than by car. We recommend driving 200
miles or so every other day. If you try to see too much, you will feel as if your
entire vacation was spent driving. Instead, plan to fully experience a few great
places.
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©2009-2010 Tracks & Trails
Grand Junction, Colorado
www.Tracks-Trails.com
We can help you plan your trip, providing an itinerary that will allow you to make
the most of your time, with driving routes (we provide you with the most scenic
and RV-friendly roads), maps, recommendations for a variety of activities as well
as must-see attractions you might otherwise miss. We will also make sure you
steer clear of local tourist traps. We make all of the reservations for you,
choosing the best campgrounds in that area and using only experienced,
reputable guides. (shameless plug #2).
Packing for Your Trip
Space is a premium in a motor home, so packing correctly is very important. You
walk a fine line in bringing appropriate clothing to be prepared for every weather
condition without over packing. There are washers and dryers at commercial
campgrounds, and most towns have a Laundromat as well. Certain things
shouldn’t be forgotten – a first aid kit, flashlight, or prescription medication. If we
arrange your trip (here comes another shameless plug!), you will receive detailed
travel tips that address exactly what you should bring, along with helpful hints on
stocking the RV, including checklists and tried-and-true tips
that will alleviate stress before and during your trip. We also
include some of our favorite recipes that will keep you out of
the galley when you should be enjoying the great out of
doors and make you feel like a real RV pro!
Basic RV rentals include personal kits, which consist of a blanket, sheets, pillow,
hand towel, bath towel, wash cloth, dish towel, coffee cup, cereal bowl, dinner
and salad plate, and silverware for each passenger. Vehicle kits contain
necessities such as a can opener, peeler, corkscrew, pots and pans, various
cleaning supplies, clothes hangers, and a vinyl tablecloth. Some companies also
rent mountain bikes.
Kids, Pets, and RVs
When traveling by RV, it is advisable to be on the road early on travel days. Kids
may complain about rising early, but they can always sleep on the way (Seatbelts
are required while the vehicle is moving. You may want to bring your child’s car
seat as well, since rentals may not be the quality you
would like.) Leaving early allows for frequent stops
without feeling rushed while getting to the next
destination. Having that “safety cushion” allows you to
take extra time to explore to your heart’s content and still
have ample daylight to get situated once you reach your
campground. Our travel tips also include a full section on
traveling with young ones.
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©2009-2010 Tracks & Trails
Grand Junction, Colorado
www.Tracks-Trails.com
We are often asked about traveling with pets. Many destinations are not dogfriendly, so you have little choice but to leave them in the RV, which (like a car)
can become very hot inside. Most National Parks don’t allow pets on the trails,
and some state parks do not allow dogs in at all. Over the years we’ve accepted
the fact that pets don’t enjoy the RV lifestyle nearly as much as we do.
Campground Wisdom
If you book a trip through Tracks and Trails, we will use both public and private
campgrounds, based on our experiences at each stop along your route. As a
rule, private campgrounds offer amenities not found in public campgrounds, such
as swimming pools, rec rooms, laundry rooms, computer hookups, etc. but you
pay the price for these services, in both privacy and peacefulness.
Public campgrounds may be more crowded, but the park lands are at your
doorstep to enjoy. Usually more scenic, there are more trees and you can have
a campfire (barring fire restrictions). Your chances of seeing wildlife nearby are
also much better. These campgrounds may not have hookups or showers, but
offer guided nature walks or campfire talks. You can see the stars, smell the
juniper, and even hear coyotes howl. Public sites allow you to enjoy the national
parks with less driving time factored in, and to most of us, time is a precious
commodity!
Speaking of time, your RV is completely self-contained, so lunch can be
whenever you like, and wherever you find a place to pull over, whether it be a
rest area, a state park, or a scenic turnout inside a national park.
Driving Your “Rig”
Although you do not need a special license to drive a motor home, it will take a
little getting used to. Remember that you are
considerably wider/higher/larger than a car. You will
need to take these factors into account, and get
accustomed to using the mirrors to improve your
visibility. It also helps to be a confident driver.
Although most modern motor homes have very
predictable road manners, this is no Honda. It won’t
accelerate as quickly, maneuver as nimbly, or stop as short as the car you drive
every day. You just have to think a few seconds further ahead and be aware that
when you make a sharp turn, the rear wheels track further towards the inside of
the turn than the front ones that are under your feet. Most people adjust very
quickly and have no problems at all. If you’ve ever driven a moving van, you
have the basic idea (although RVs are much more nicely appointed). But, if you
are a very nervous driver, you should consider a smaller RV or perhaps a van
conversion.
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©2009-2010 Tracks & Trails
Grand Junction, Colorado
www.Tracks-Trails.com
The Nitty Gritty of RV Living
When traveling by motor home, you will enjoy many conveniences of home, but
you need to be mindful of certain things. There is a limited amount of water, and
not every campground will have a dump station where you can empty and refill.
Each tank of fresh water will fill the gray-water holding tank, so each time you fill
your water tanks you also need to empty the gray water tank. In addition, many
fresh water fill stations are heavily chlorinated; you may want to consider
purchasing drinking water.
If you are at a campsite with no electric, sewer, or water, conservation of energy
and water is a must. If electricity isn’t available, the battery is used to power the
fan on the heater and to pump water to the sink and toilet. You should have no
problem camping for a day or two without utility hookups. If the batteries do start
to run low (the monitor panel will tell you), running the generator for a few hours
will recharge the batteries. Just be aware that most campgrounds have policies
on the use of generators, and you won’t make a lot of friends if your generator is
going non-stop!
Running out of water will require an unplanned trip to a dump station, and can be
a real inconvenience (i.e., you’ve just lathered up in the shower!) You may also
want to empty the black-water (toilet) when you fill your water tank.
This is not as difficult as a recent Robin Williams movie might lead you
to believe, and when you pick up your RV you will get a training
session.
RV FAQs
RVs have TVs, right?
Even if you can't imagine a week or two without a TV, give it a try. Almost without
exception, families tell us that they seldom, if ever, watched TV and that this accounted
for much of the family "magic" that took place during their trip.
How far can we drive in a day?
You may think you should be covering more ground. But many of these roads are steep
and winding, so you won't be cruising along at 70 mph. We've driven these roads, and
know how far you can really drive in a day, including stops for the great views. Trust us!
Less is more.
Isn’t traveling with kids a hassle?
Infants are wonderfully portable. We started taking extended trips when our boys were
just a few months old. The trick is to take it easy. We'll help you plan a route that
meanders through some awesomely beautiful places at a very leisurely pace, maybe only
moving the RV every two or three days.
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©2009-2010 Tracks & Trails
Grand Junction, Colorado
www.Tracks-Trails.com
Won't my kids get bored?
They might surprise you (and themselves) once you get out here.
Digging for dinosaur bones, riding on steam trains, wading in
streams, peering into huge canyons, driving a Jeep along a rough
road, building campfires, roasting marshmallows...It’s a rare
child (of any age) that doesn’t think that’s pretty cool.
Can I charge my camera or laptop batteries in the RV? Yes, and you don't have to be
connected to "shore power" or start the generator to do it. Just buy an inverter for under
$50 at Big-Box-Mart. It converts 12V cigarette lighter current into 110V juice.
What can we expect for mileage and fuel consumption in an RV?
Fuel mileage will be between 8-15 mpg, depending upon the vehicle you rent. Tank size
varies from 25 to 75 gallons. Recommended RV travel mileage is 200 miles every other
day.
Tell me about generators at the campground
Keep in mind that generators are not meant to run for hours on end – especially not all
night. And you wouldn’t want to – they’re noisy –not only for you, but also those around
you. Campgrounds generally require that they be shut off by early evening. The din of
internal combustion engines can spoil a serene campsite!
Should we take scenic drives in our RV?
We try to route you in the RV on the prettiest roads. Some roads are just not suitable for
RVs, and we usually mention these in your itinerary. We can reserve a car or jeep rental
for you to drive some of the scenic byways and backcountry roads.
We have a month or two to spend. Can we keep ourselves entertained for that long?
Absolutely. You'll have time to visit a wide assortment of places, and the luxury of being
able to stay long enough to really experience them. Longer trips are wonderful. You will
have the luxury of “slack-time”, which is so important to being able to actually relax and
enjoy your journey. While the people with only one week of vacation are getting up
early and roaring off to the next place, you will sit and sip your coffee, watch the sun rise
over the mesa top, perhaps take a little walk, and then start your leisurely drive to the
next heart-stopping spot. It’s a completely different experience. You’ll love traveling
and living this way.
We live in the Eastern half of the US/Canada. Should we rent in our home town or
fly out West?
In most cases, you’ll be much happier if you fly to a western city and spare
yourselves the interminable interstate driving at the beginning and end of
your trip. RVs are at their best cruising the back roads and acting as a comfy
stationary base camp. Highway cruising is easier in a car. By beginning your
trip right in the middle of the “good stuff”, you’ll add 6-10 days of real vacationing to
your vacation. Even if you have a month, you'll barely scratch the surface. Use all of
your vacation time for vacationing. You won't have to pass up quite as many places and
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©2009-2010 Tracks & Trails
Grand Junction, Colorado
www.Tracks-Trails.com
you'll be able to spend more time at each stop and experience everything it has to offer.
Finally, the money you save in excess mileage charges and fuel will go a long way
towards covering the cost of the plane tickets.
What About Meals in the RV?
You can usually plan on eating breakfast in the RV. It’s easier than loading up the whole
gang and trying to get a spot to park the RV in town so you can wait to get a table and
have breakfast. We usually suggest picnic style lunches so that you can be out on the
trail with lunch in your backpack instead of waiting in line to have lunch. Don’t plan on
food concessions within the parks. They are virtually non-existent.
Grilling out at the campsite is great at dinner, or just cook in the RV and eat outside at the
picnic table. We list some restaurants in towns, but it can be a
heck of a drive out of Yellowstone or Yosemite just to get to a
restaurant.
The Adventure Kit provided by Tracks & Trails will have a list of
items you might not think to bring, and some ideas for cooking in
the RV (what kind of meals are easiest, other ideas for food to buy).
Glossary of RV Terms
Full hookups: Includes water, electric, and sewer attachments for the RV at
your campsite. At a water and electric site, you’ll need to stop at the dump
station rather than having the sewer attachment at the site.
Dump station: A facility for dumping or emptying your black water (toilet) and
gray water (sink, shower) holding tanks.
Boondocking: This term refers to dry camping (no water, electricity, or sewer),
or, camping without hookups, in a remote spot. This term is used by campers
who want to enjoy nature at its fullest, and avoid paying campground fees.
Pull-Through: A campsite that allows the driver to pull into the site to park, then
pull out the other side when leaving, without ever having to back up.
House Battery: A battery in a motor home for operating the 12-volt system
within the motor home, separate from the battery that starts the engine.
Livability Packages or Convenience Kits: Items to equip an RV for daily living
that can be rented at nominal cost from rental firms. These include bed linens,
pillows and blankets, bath towels, pots and pans, kitchen utensils and cutlery.
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©2009-2010 Tracks & Trails
Grand Junction, Colorado
www.Tracks-Trails.com
Slide Out: Additional living space that “slides out” either by hydraulics,
electricity, or manually, when the RV is set up for camping. Not to be confused
with a slide-in, which is a camper that “slides in” to the truck bed!
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©2009-2010 Tracks & Trails
Grand Junction, Colorado
www.Tracks-Trails.com